Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Today the Church celebrates Second Sunday of Easter (also known as Sunday of Divine Mercy). The assigned readings are Acts 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19; and John 20:19-31. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 118 (Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24). 

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 118 - "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting."


The Gospel reading for the procession with the palms is as follows: 

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."

But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Reflections on this day and on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Second Sunday of Easter (April 3, 2016)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Second Sunday of Easter (April 3, 2016)

Community in Mission: From Fear to Faith - A Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter (2 APR 16)

Deacon Greg Kandra: Second Chances: "My Lord and My God": Homily for April 3, 2016, Divine Mercy Sunday (2 APR 16)

The Sacred Page: Divine Mercy Sunday! (31 MAR 16)

The Sacred Page: Divine Mercy and Doubting Thomas (2nd Sunday of Easter) (31 MAR 16)

Word on Fire: Peter, John, and Thomas (Cycle C * Easter * Week 2)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Breath of New Life: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Second Sunday of Easter (25 MAR 16)

The Dispatch: Divine Mercy Sunday: Preparation, Proclamation, Perseverance, and Purpose (2 APR 16)

Spirituality of the Readings: Easter Unbelief (Second Sunday of Easter C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Being Saved (Second Sunday of Easter C)

The Word Embodied: Forgiveness (Second Sunday of Easter C)

Historical Cultural Context: Believing Without Seeing (Second Sunday of Easter C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Augustine of Hippo (Second Sunday of Easter C)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Divine Mercy Sunday (2 APR 16)